Nozzle assembly with a reusable break-off cap a container having a nozzle assembly and packaging therefor

Abstract

The invention is a nozzle assembly ( 3, 20 ) with a re-useable break off cap ( 20 ) for dispensing a product from a container ( 1 ). On a dispensing end ( 5 ) of the nozzle ( 3 ) a break-off cap ( 20 ) is integrally formed thereon and closes off the dispensing end ( 5 ) of the nozzle ( 3 ). The break-off cap ( 20 ) is removable by breaking a frangible connection ( 22 ) between the nozzle ( 3 ) and the break-off cap ( 20 ). Removing the break-off cap opens the dispensing end ( 5 ) of the nozzle ( 3 ) thereby allowing product to be dispensed through the nozzle ( 3 ). The break-off cap ( 20 ) removed from the nozzle ( 3 ) can then be re-engaged with the nozzle ( 3 ) to close off the dispensing end ( 5 ) thereby preventing further product from being dispensed. The cap can be attached to or removed from the nozzle ( 3 ) as often as a user requires. The invention also includes packaging which includes a tray ( 111 ) or pouch into which the nozzle assembly ( 3, 20 ) and container ( 1 ) can be inserted. A flexible resealable peel-off cover ( 110 ) is provided on each tray ( 111 ) to allow a user to resealably open and close the tray ( 111 ). The resealable tray ( 111 ) can be provided either singly or as a series of trays.

1. A dispensing pack comprising:
 (i) a container for holding curable product;  
 (ii) curable product held within the container; and  
 (iii) a nozzle assembly, attached to or integrally formed with the container, the nozzle assembly comprising: 
 a) an outlet nozzle for dispensing the product having a first intake end for taking up product from the container and a second dispensing end with a dispensing opening formed in the dispensing end and a mouth formed on the nozzle about the dispensing opening, the nozzle comprising a nozzle body with a conduit formed therein defined by an internal surface of the nozzle body, the conduit for communication between the intake end and the dispensing opening; and  
 b) a break-off cap comprising a cap body for closing the dispensing end of the outlet nozzle the cap having a housing into which the dispensing end of the nozzle is insertable, the break-off cap having a first position wherein the cap body is integrally formed with the outlet nozzle to close the dispensing opening of the outlet nozzle and is connected thereto by at least one frangible connection, and a second position wherein the frangible connection is broken allowing removal of the cap and thus opening the dispensing opening thereby allowing product to be dispensed through the outlet nozzle;  
 
 
     the cap body and the outlet nozzle having interengaging formations for subsequently securing the break-off cap to the nozzle to close the outlet opening, wherein the interengaging formations are snap-fit formations that are disengageable from the interengaged position by relative rotation of the cap and the container, the nozzle and the cap being shaped so that relative rotation of the cap and the nozzle causes deformation of the cap. 
   
   
     2. A dispensing pack according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle assembly has an internal annular crotch, which narrows in a radially outward direction, formed between the nozzle and the cap body about the dispensing opening, the crotch providing a weakened junction between the cap and the nozzle allowing the cap to be broken off from the nozzle thus breaking the frangible connection comprising:
 a) an outlet nozzle for dispensing the product having a first intake end for taking up product from the container and a second dispensing end with a dispensing opening formed in the dispensing end and a mouth formed on the nozzle about the dispensing opening, the nozzle comprising a nozzle body with a conduit formed therein defined by an internal surface of the nozzle body, the conduit for communication between the intake end and the dispensing opening; and  
 b) a break-off cap comprising a cap body for closing the dispensing end of the outlet nozzle, the break-off cap having a first position wherein the cap body is integrally formed with the outlet nozzle to close the dispensing opening of the outlet nozzle and is connected thereto by at least one frangible connection, and a second position wherein the frangible connection is broken allowing removal of the cap and thus opening the dispensing opening thereby allowing product to be dispensed through the outlet nozzle; wherein the nozzle and the cap are shaped so that relative rotation of the cap and the nozzle causes deformation of the cap and allows for its removal” has been deleted.  
 
   
   
     3. A dispensing pack according to  claim 2  wherein the internal crotch is generally v-shaped, being defined on one side by a surface of the cap body and on the other by a surface of the nozzle. 
   
   
     4. A dispensing pack according to  claim 3  wherein in a radially outward direction the surfaces of the crotch converge toward the frangible connection. 
   
   
     5. A dispensing pack according to  claim 3  wherein the surface on the nozzle defining one side of the crotch runs from the internal surface of the nozzle, or from a position proximate to the internal surface of the nozzle to the mouth of the nozzle. 
   
   
     6. A dispensing pack according to  claim 2  wherein one side of the internal annular crotch is provided, at least in part, by a ramped surface running from the internal surface of the nozzle defining the conduit to the mouth of the nozzle. 
   
   
     7. A dispensing pack according to  claim 6  wherein the ramped surface is annular. 
   
   
     8. A dispensing pack according to  claim 7  wherein the annular ramped surface is of a generally frusto-conical shape. 
   
   
     9. A dispensing pack according to  claim 1  wherein the outlet nozzle forms an integral part of a container. 
   
   
     10. A dispensing pack according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is provided with an external annular crotch, which narrows in a radially inward direction, formed between the nozzle and the cap body and about the dispensing opening. 
   
   
     11. A dispensing pack according to  claim 10  wherein the external crotch is generally v-shaped being defined on one side by a surface of the cap body and on the other by a surface of the nozzle. 
   
   
     12. A dispensing pack according to  claim 11  wherein the radially inward direction the surfaces of the crotch converge toward the frangible connection to form the apex of the v-shape. 
   
   
     13. A dispensing pack according to  claim 12  wherein the surface on the nozzle defining one side of the external crotch runs from an external surface of the nozzle, to a position on the nozzle proximate or at the mouth of the nozzle. 
   
   
     14. A dispensing pack according to  claim 1  wherein the container and nozzle assembly are molded as a single piece. 
   
   
     15. A dispensing pack according to  claim 1  wherein the container and nozzle assembly takes the farm of a hand-held phiol. 
   
   
     16. A dispensing pack according to  claim 15  wherein the phial is constructed of deformable plastics so that it is squeezable. 
   
   
     17. A dispensing pack according to  claim 1  wherein the break-off cap is held in an inverted position on the outlet nozzle before it is broken off. 
   
   
     18. A dispensing pack according to  claim 17  wherein an outer surface of the cap closes the dispensing opening on the container. 
   
   
     19. A dispensing pack according to  claim 18  wherein an outer surface of the cap closing the dispensing opening is an internal wall of a recess or housing formed on the cap, the housing mating with the mouth of the nozzle. 
   
   
     20. A dispensing pack according to  claim 19  wherein the break-off cap is reversible so that when broken off, the cap may be inverted for replacement on to the nozzle. 
   
   
     21. A dispensing pack according to  claim 20  wherein the formations on the cap for interengaging with the reciprocal interengaging formations on the container being formed on the housing. 
   
   
     22. A dispensing pack according to  claim 21  wherein the interengaging formations are formed by one or more projections and one or more corresponding recesses or grooves with which the projections engage. 
   
   
     23. A dispensing pack according to  claim 1  wherein the cap has a discharge opening engaging portion for closing the dispensing opening. 
   
   
     24. A dispensing pack according to  claim 23  wherein the engaging portion is a projecting portion on the underside of the cap which at least partially projects into the dispensing opening in the closed configuration of the container. 
   
   
     25. A dispensing pack according to  claim 24  wherein the projecting portion is shaped to mate with the opening. 
   
   
     26. A dispensing pack according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle and cap are both oblong. 
   
   
     27. A dispensing pack according to  claim 1  wherein the nozzle and the cap have co-operating guiding surfaces which guide the cap toward a desired orientation relative to the nozzle. 
   
   
     28. A dispensing pack according to  claim 27  wherein the co-operating guiding surfaces are a seat and a seat engaging portion. 
   
   
     29. A combination pack comprising a series of tear-off blisters frangibly attached each to the next, each blister comprising a blister tray, and a flexible peel-off cover for the blister tray, the peel-off cover and the blister tray being attached by resealing means which allows re-closing of the blister and a dispensing pack according to  claim 1  within each blister. 
   
   
     30. A combination pack according to  claim 29  wherein a peel-open tab is provided on each blister to facilitate peeling open of the pack. 
   
   
     31. A combination pack comprising a series of tear-off pouches formed by scaling two layers of flexible material to each other about discrete areas, the pouches frangibly attached each to the next, each pouch being provided with a tear-open notch to facilitate tearing open of the material forming the pouch and a dispensing pack according to  claim 1  within each pouch.